Kentucky hacker who pushed for investigations into Steubenville rape could face 25 years in prison

Out of all the people facing prosecution relating to the rape of a 15-year-old in Steubenville, Ohio, the person who could face the longest prison sentence is the Kentucky man who tried to expose a cover-up in that community.

On Monday four school employees in Steubenville, including the superintendent of schools, were indicted on evidence tampering or obstruction of justice charges relating to last year’s investigation into the rape of a 15-year-old girl.

The case garnered national attention largely after a Kentucky man, Deric Lostutter, affiliated with the hacking and activist group Anonymous began spreading information about the case across the Internet.

Two teens on the high school’s football team were convicted of rape and sentenced in juvenile court in March. Since then, a grand jury has indicted six adults for a variety of charges, including Monday’s charges of tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice.

While the adults in the indictment could face years behind bars for the felonies for which they’re charged, Lostutter could face the most jail time of all — thanks to a nearly 30-year old federal law. Here’s how:

About Nick Storm

Nick Storm is the Anchor and Managing Editor of Pure Politics, the only nightly program dedicated to Kentucky politics. Nick covers all of the political heavyweights and his investigative work brings to light issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, like the connection between the high profile Steubenville, Ohio rape and a Kentucky hacker whose push for further investigation could put him in federal prison. Nick is also working on a feature length bio documentary Outlaw Poet: A documentary on Ron Whitehead. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickStorm_cn2. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@twcnews.com.